Whelan, Josephine 1856-1924

WHELAN, EMERICK, RUGH

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 4/8/2012 at 20:27:47

Obituary dated Jan. 25, 1924

MRS. J.L. WHELAN IS SINCERELY MOURNED
-------------------------------------
Funeral Services for One of Grinnell's Good Women Held Today.
-------------------------------------

Josephine Emerick, daughter of Elizabeth and Emanuel Emerick, was born in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, Nov. 13, 1856 and died at her home in Grinnell, Iowa, Wednesday morning after a very brief illness of pneumonia. With her parents she moved to Iowa in the spring of 1857, locating at Carnforth, where she grew to womanhood, later moving to Brooklyn, Ia. She cared for her invalid mother a number of years until her death which occurred in 1882, after which she kept the home for her father until her marriage to John L. Whelan on Sept. 29, 1886. They then moved to Galva, Iowa, where they resided until 1902 when they returned to Brooklyn. In 1911 they moved to Grinnell where they have since resided. The father of Mrs. Whelan made his home with them until his death November 10, 1920.

Four children blessed the home of Mr. and Mrs. Whelan only one of whom is living, Ralph L. Whelan of Belle Plaine, Iowa. Mary Eva died at the age of seven years and twins, one dying at birth and the other John Erl lived until he was two years of age. Mrs. Whelan leaves besides her husband and son, one brother, D.F. Emerick of Geneseo, Ill., and one sister Mrs. Maggie Rugh, of Portland, Oregon.

When very young Mrs. Whelan united with the Episcopal church later transferring her membership to the Methodist Episcopal church in which she has been a most faithful and consistent Christian. The funeral was held from her late home on Fourth Ave., conducted by her pastor the Rev. W.J. Todd. Interment was at the family cemetery in Brooklyn, Iowa.